Skin manifestations of child abuse

Abstract

Child abuse is a major public health problem all over the world. There are four major types of abuse: physical abuse, sexual abuse, emotional abuse and neglect. The most common manifestations of child abuse are cutaneous and their recognition; and differential diagnosis is of great importance. Clinicians, especially dermatologists, should be alert about the skin lesions of child abuse. In the diagnosis and management of child abuse, a multidisciplinary approach with ethical and legal procedures is necessary. In this manuscript, cutaneous manifestations of physical, sexual, emotional abuse and neglect are reviewed and discussed.

Injuries of Non-Lethal Child Physical Abuse to the Crania and Orofacial Regions: A Scientific Review

“…The absolute age of lesion is virtually impossible to estimate, abrasion, and sensitivity or edema suggest a recent injury [7]. It can be said that bruises with less than 24 hours show no yellow tint, but red bruises may persist for a week [15]. Another important factor is that lesion may reflect the shape of the object used to inflict them [15].…”

“…Another important factor is that lesion may reflect the shape of the object used to inflict them [15]. Lesions with defined patterns are a strong indicator of abuse, as are multiple injuries, clustered, with unusual locations, distant from bony prominences and in different stages of healing [8,15]. There are, however, conditions that predispose to bleeding, such as disease Von Willbrand among other forms of anaemia and should be considered in the differential diagnosis of lesions [18,19].…”

“…It can be said that bruises with less than 24 hours show no yellow tint, but red bruises may persist for a week [15]. Another important factor is that lesion may reflect the shape of the object used to inflict them [15]. Lesions with defined patterns are a strong indicator of abuse, as are multiple injuries, clustered, with unusual locations, distant from bony prominences and in different stages of healing [8,15].…”

“…In practice, dating injuries is inaccurate [15]. The absolute age of lesion is virtually impossible to estimate, abrasion, and sensitivity or edema suggest a recent injury [7].…”

“…Other manifestations include contusions, lacerations, abrasions, burns, oral trauma, traumatic alopecia and bite marks [15,16].…”